Group M cuts global ad spending forecast to 4.8% growth

Published on July 07, 2011.

New York—Group M, a division of WPP Group, revised its global ad spending forecast to 4.8% growth this year—an estimated $506.0 billion—down from a December forecast of 5.8% growth, citing the effects of the tsunami on Japan and political upheaval in the Middle East.
In the U.S., ad spending will reach an estimated $148.0 billion this year, up 3.8% over last year, according to Group M. The U.S. forecast was raised slightly from 3.7% growth predicted in December.
Next year, global ad spending will reach an estimated $540.3 billion, up 6.8% over this year, as the economy continues to improve, Group M said in the forecast.
In the U.S., ad spending will reach approximately $154.0 billion next year, up 4.1% over this year.